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| Police during the anti finance demos |
A human rights organisation has documented 24 deaths, 34 abductions, and 271 injuries resulting from the protests.
In a letter addressed to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) urged thorough scrutiny and investigation.
It asserted that the events during the demonstrations undermined democratic principles and the rule of law.
PRWG highlighted the worsening situation exacerbated by ongoing nationwide civilian protests against the Finance Bill and other significant national issues.
“So far, we have documented 23 deaths, 34 enforced disappearances/abductions and 271 injuries,” the letter read in part.
The police are yet to comment on the new claims. Other violations documented and forwarded to the IPOA include corporal punishment and the use of unlawful force and firearms.
“As you are aware, the situation in Kenya is rapidly deteriorating following the sustained countrywide civilian protests opposing the proposed Finance Bill and other important issues affecting the nation.”
“The nationwide dissent has been particularly vocal since mid-May 2024, with the latest protest taking place on June 27, 2024,” the letter added.
PRWG added that they were conveying their deepest concerns about the recent use of deadly force by law enforcement against peaceful protestors.
“With the deployment of Defence Forces following the approval by Parliament on 26 June 2024, we are apprehensive that the situation could worsen.”
They said civilian attacks by Kenya’s security agencies are against international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Kenya is a signatory, and the Kenyan Constitution.
“We thus implore the Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to investigate these instances expeditiously and in great detail. Individuals in charge of approving and executing the use of fatal force, making arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, and forced disappearances must be held accountable and prosecuted.”
“Ipoa must carry out its mission to impartially monitor and investigate police behaviour and guarantee that such flagrant breaches of human rights never happen again.
“Individuals in charge of approving and executing the use of fatal force, making arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, and forced disappearances must be held accountable and prosecuted.”